Chitotela pleads for K10 Million Bail Out Package for Artists

Minister of Tourism and Arts, Ronald Chitotela has requested the Ministry of Finance to facilitate a rescue package of K10 million for the cultural and creative sector after Covid-19.Mr. Chitotela said this during a presentation to the Virtual Forum of the African Union Ministers Responsible for Arts Culture and Heritage on their Responses to the Covid-19 pandemic made by Permanent Secretary Auxilia Ponga.The Minister said this will be done by encouraging and where possible, giving incentives to private sector financial players to lend money to arts organisations.He said private sector financing is particularly critical in building a sustainable link between the arts and the mainstream lending facilities.Mr. Chitotela said the identification of vulnerable artists will be done through the provincial cultural offices, district cultural offices and the various national arts associations across the country.He said the Zambian arts; culture and heritage sector industry has been identified as one of the critical pillars of economic revival.The Minister said the country is looking to the arts and culture to take a lead in creating jobs, promoting domestic tourism, and contributing to the economy. Post Views: 2
News Source: ZNBC